Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J27/00—Cooking-vessels
  • A47J27/04—Cooking-vessels for cooking food in steam; Devices for extracting fruit juice by means of steam ; Vacuum cooking vessels

Definitions

• VAPOR GENERATOR INCLUDING WIRE MESH HEATING ELEMENT
• Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a vapor generator that includes a wire mesh heating element.
• a vapor generator including: a circuit to carry a DC current from an energy device; a wire mesh heating element to receive the DC current; and a sprayer to direct a fine spray of a liquid at the wire mesh heating element to vaporize the liquid, wherein a ratio of a resistance of the wire mesh heating element to a radiative black body area of the wire mesh heating element is less than 2 ohms/m .
• a vapor generator including: a circuit configured to carry a DC current; a wire mesh heating element configured to receive the current; and a sprayer configured to direct a fine spray of a liquid at the wire mesh heating element to generate vapor, wherein the wire mesh heating element is capable of reaching about 1400° Kelvin from room temperature in less than 10.3 seconds when the wire mesh heating element is not in touch with a liquid or another heating load.
• a vapor generator including: a circuit to carry a DC current; a wire mesh heating element to receive the DC current; a sprayer to direct a fine spray of a liquid at the wire mesh heating element to vaporize the liquid; and a spray receiving surface disposed adjacent to the wire mesh heating element, wherein the wire mesh heating element is disposed between the sprayer and the spray receiving surface.
• the vaporizer can generate vapor without using a sprayer, for example, by channeling water along channels adjacent or on the wire mesh heating element.
• the water can be pumped into a fiberglass mesh.
• a vapor generator kit including: a DC power supply; a wire mesh heating element to receive a DC current from the DC power supply; a sprayer configured to direct a fine spray of a liquid at the wire mesh heating element to vaporize the liquid; and a spray receiving surface to be disposed adjacent to the wire mesh heating element, wherein the wire mesh heating element is to be disposed between the sprayer and the spray receiving surface.
• the spray receiving surface includes fiber glass.
• the spray receiving surface is hydrophilic.
• the spray receiving surface includes electrical insulation.
• an average distance between the wire mesh heating element and the spray receiving surface is 10 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 3 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, or the like.
• one or more of the wire mesh heating element or the spray receiving surface are movable with respect to each other.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vapor generator including a wire mesh heating element according to exemplary embodiments.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a vapor generator including a wire mesh heating element according to exemplary embodiments.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a system view of a vapor generator according to exemplary embodiments.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a steam generator including a wire mesh heating element according to exemplary embodiments.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a functional view of a steam floor sanitizer including a wire mesh heating element according to exemplary embodiments.
• the resistance is proportional to the length and resistivity, and inversely proportional to the area of the conductor.
• L is the length of the conductor
• A is its cross-sectional area
• T is its temperature
• TO is a reference temperature (usually room temperature)
• pO is the resistivity at TO
• a is the change in resistivity per unit of temperature as a percentage of pO.
• L and A remain unchanged within the temperature range.
• pO and a are constants that depend on the conductor being considered.
• ⁇ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant of 5.670x 10 W » m ⁇ and,
• the ratio of the resistance of the heater to the black body raditive area of the same heater becomes the critical design constraint for the oven; herein termed the De Luca Element Ratio.
• the ideal oven for foods operating over a 0.25 square meter area at 2 micron wavelength has a De Luca Element Ratio (at room temperature), of 0.1137 ohms/m2 (0.0284 ohms/0.25 m2).
• the De Luca Element Ratio is dependent solely on the resistance of the material and the radiative surface area but is independent of the voltage the system is operated. In addition, for wire, the length of the wire will not change the ratio.
• Table 1 lists the resistance per meter of several common nichrome wire sizes as well as the De Luca Element Ratio for these elements. It is important to note that all these wires have a De Luca Element Ratio far greater than the 0.1137 required for an oven operated at 1400K, 24V, and over 0.25 m2. Clearly the use of a single wire with a voltage placed from end- to-end in order to achieve the power requirement is not feasible.
• m is the mass of the element
• c is the specific heat capacity
• ⁇ is the temperature differential where the initial temperature is subtracted from the final temperature.
• Another way for lowering the resistance is to place multiple resistors in parallel.
• the following invention allows for the creation of a high power oven by using a resistive mesh element.
• the heater element designed so as to allow for the desired wavelength output by modifying both the thickness of the mesh as well as the surface area from which heat radiates.
• the heater consisting of a single unit mesh that is easily assembled into the oven and having a low mass so as to allow for a very quick heat-up (on the order of less than a few seconds).
• a mesh design for operating a quick response time oven consisting of a nichrome wire mesh with strand diameter of 0.3 mm, and spacing between strands of 0.3 mm, and operating voltage of 24V.
• a vapor generator including a wire mesh heater wherein the liquid to be heated is sprayed on wires forming the wire mesh is described.
• the liquid can, for example, flash vaporize or steam as it contacts the wires and steam can be continuously generated while the spray is maintained over the wire mesh.
• the liquid can be flash or instantly heated.
• the present vapor generator can be disposed proximate or adjacent to a point of use or consumption.
• Various embodiments that can generate various volumes of vapor can be provided.
• multiple vapor generators can be disposed in series.
• multiple vapor generators can be disposed in parallel conduits.
• multiple sprayers can be used.
• the liquid may include water.
• the wire mesh heating element can comprise multiple wire mesh segments. Each wire mesh segment can be individually controlled for intensity and/or duration. This embodiment can provide the advantage of heating with a high flow rate. In addition, the heating profile for each wire mesh segment can be optimally customized. The customization can be achieved without reconfiguring the hardware of the vapor generator.
• a flow rate of the liquid being sprayed is maintained at a constant speed.
• the wire mesh heating element can heat the liquid.
• a wire mesh heating element either may be already on or may turn on when a flow is detected. In the absence of a liquid flow, the wire mesh heating element can be turned off. As it flows, the liquid is sprayed on to the wire mesh heating element and heated.
• the spacing between the strands of wire forming the wire space can be covered. As such, when a wire mesh heating element is not porous the water flows along the surface of the wire mesh heating element.
• the wire mesh element includes a Ni-Chrome heating element.
• the wire mesh heater can be integrated or be formed as a unitary construction.
• the conduit can include industry standard male or female fittings.
• the heater can be disposed in plumbing, for example, household plumbing.
• the heater can include a leak proof nipple or fitting. Electrical leads connected to the wire mesh heating element can exit from the conduit from the leak proof nipple.
• shielding to reflect infrared radiation can be provided on an inner surface of a heater in which a wire mesh heater is disposed.
• the heater can include one or more temperature sensors.
• the temperature sensor can be disposed downstream of the water mesh heater in a conduit conveying the vapor or steam.
• the temperature sensors can be disposed in a liquid drain.
• the temperature sensor can be an infrared sensor or a camera temperature sensor.
• a controller that reads a temperature signal from a temperature sensor can be provided.
• the controller can limit the temperature and/or volume of the vapor, for example, by turning off and on the DC power supply, or an optional pump used to pump the liquid to be heated.
• the heater can include a liquid flow sensor.
• the flow sensor can enable the DC power supply when a flow is present.
• the flow sensor signal the controller whether a liquid flow is present or not.
• the conduit can include a label indicating the direction of the liquid flow.
• a low-voltage Direct Current (DC) power supply to energize the water-heating element can be provided.
• Exemplary low voltages include 6 Volts (V), 12 V, 18 V, 24 V, and the like.
• the DC power supply can be a high-amperage power supply.
• the DC power supply can include stored energy device, such as, batteries to provide the necessary currents.
• a vapor generator kit may include a sprayer, a wire mesh heating element and a
• the kit can include a heat insulator disposed on an outer surface of the heater.
• the kit can include a controller.
• the kit can include a flow sensor.
• the kit can include a temperature sensor.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vapor generator including a wire mesh heating element according to various embodiments.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a vapor generator including a wire mesh heating element according to various embodiments.
• a vapor generator 100 can include a housing 102.
• the housing 102 can provide a liquid outlet 104, a vapor outlet 118 and a liquid inlet 110.
• the housing 102 can provide an inlet for wires 106 and 108 to deliver an electrical current to a wire mesh heating element 114.
• the wire mesh heating element 114 can be disposed in the housing 102.
• the liquid inlet 110 can be connected to a liquid sprayer 112.
• a sprayer receiving surface 116 can be disposed adjacent to the wire mesh heating element 114 opposite the sprayer 112.
• the sprayer receiving surface 116 can include a wall of the housing 102.
• Wires 106 andl08 can be connected to the wire mesh element 114.
• Wire mesh heating element 114 can be secured within housing 102, for example, on a stand, legs, or the like.
• wires 106 and 108 may be flexible, may be integrated into a vessel, may include hinges are that squeeze together upon closing the cover to ensure proper
• the housing 102 can be thermally insulated.
• the housing 102 can be a material that can withstand high temperatures.
• the liquid outlet 104 can be a drain.
• the liquid outlet can be disposed below a spray outlet of the sprayer 110.
• the liquid outlet 104 can be disposed below the wire mesh heating element 114, and as such, the wire mesh heating element 110 is not submerged under the liquid being heated.
• the liquid outlet 104 can be connected to a one-way valve (not shown), which prevents a liquid from entering the housing 102 from the liquid outlet 104.
• the liquid outlet 104 can be connected to plumbing fixtures (not shown) as known in the art.
• the vapor outlet 118 can be disposed above the wire mesh element 114.
• the vapor outlet 118 can be connected to one or more of a pressure regulator (not shown), a one-way valve (not shown) or other plumbing equipment fixtures as known in the art.
• the liquid inlet 110 can be connected to the sprayer 112.
• the sprayer 112 can atomize or convert the liquid into very fine particles or droplets.
• the atomized liquid spray can be directed to contact a planar face of the wire mesh heating element 114.
• the spray can be directed upwards and contact a downward facing surface of the wire mesh heating element 114 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
• the spray generated by the sprayer 112 can be directed downwards, laterally, or angled in order to contact one or more surfaces of the wire mesh heating element 114.
• the sprayer 1 12 can comprise multiple sprayers, with each sprayer directing its spray to a segment of the wire mesh heating element 114.
• the wire mesh heating element 114 can be disposed as a plane.
• the wire mesh heating element 114 can be shaped as a partial or full polyhedral.
• Exemplary polyhedral shapes include cube, sphere, pyramid, cone, cylinder, and the like.
• the sprayer 112 including multiple sprayers can be disposed within the polyhedral shaped wire mesh heating element 114.
• sprayer 112 can include multiple sprayers that are disposed without or outside the polyhedral shaped wire mesh heating element 114.
• sprayer 112 can be disposed within and without the polyhedral shaped wire mesh heating element 114.
• the multiple sprayers of the sprayer 112 can direct their respective spray to a surface of the polyhedral shaped wire mesh heating element 114.
• a surface of the polyhedral shaped wire mesh heating element 114 can be disposed between one or more sprayers included in sprayer 112 and a spray receiving surface 116.
• the wire mesh heating element 114 can comprise multiple wire mesh heating segments disposed parallel to each other, and the sprayer 112 can direct its spray through multiple parallel wire mesh heating segments.
• the spray receiving surface 116 can be made from a material capable of withstanding high temperatures, such as, metal, fiber glass, and the like.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a system view of a vapor generator according to exemplary embodiments.
• a liquid heating system 300 can include a vapor generator 302, a controller 304, a vapor outlet 306 and a liquid inlet 310.
• the liquid heating system 300 can optionally include one or more of a liquid outlet 308, a pump 312, a liquid filtration system 314 and a liquid supply 316.
• the controller 304 can receive a signal from a temperature sensor (not shown).
• the temperature sensor can be disposed downstream of the vapor generator 302, for example, near the vapor outlet 306.
• the temperature sensor can measure the temperature of the vapor or the liquid in the heated liquid.
• the controller 304 can include an input that can set the max temperature of the heated liquid.
• the input can, for example, include a dial, a knob, or any other input means known in the art.
• the controller 304 can sense a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and control the wire mesh heating element included in vapor generator 302 based on the max temperature input. In some embodiments, the controller 304 can enable an electrical connection between the wire mesh heating element of the vapor generator 302 and a Direct Current (DC) power supply (not shown) when the temperature is below a max temperature. In some embodiments, the controller 304 can disable an electrical connection between the wire mesh heating element of the vapor generator 302 and the power supply when the temperature is at or above a max temperature. In exemplary embodiments, power to the wire mesh heating element can be provided through elements that are located within the liquid medium.
• DC Direct Current
• a controller 304 can receive a signal from a flow sensor (not shown).
• Flow sensor can be disposed upstream of the vapor generator 302.
• the flow sensor can measure a flow of the liquid, for example, the unheated liquid entering the liquid input 310.
• the controller 302 can sense the signal from the flow sensor and control the vapor generator 302, by enabling an electrical connection to the power supply when a flow is sensed.
• the controller 304 can disable an electrical connection between the power supply and wire mesh heating element of the vapor generator 302.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a liquid steamer including a wire mesh heating element according to exemplary embodiments.
• a water steamer 400 can include an energy storage device 402, a charger 404 to connect to an electrical power source, a water reservoir 410, and a pump 408 to pump the water from the water reservoir 410 via one or more sprayers 424 onto a wire mesh heating element 414 to generate steam 426.
• the compartment to store the energy storage device 402 can be disposed at a bottom of the steamer 400.
• the water reservoir 410 can be disposed at or near the bottom of the steamer 400.
• the steamer 400 can include a switch 412, for example, a programmable switch, to control power being supplied to the wire mesh heating element 414.
• the switch 412 can be operated by a user to control various settings, for example, a timer, a steam cycle, a keep warm cycle, or the like.
• the wire mesh heating element 414 can be disposed on a thermally insulative surface 406 disposed in a container 430. Exemplary materials to form the thermally insulative surface 406 include, for example, glass or fiberglass.
• the sprayer 424 can direct a fine spray, for example, an atomized spray, at the wire mesh heating element 414.
• the vapor 426 generated by operation of the steamer 400 may rise and passed through a perforated tray 416, for example, a steel tray, to heat, cook or the like, a load 422.
• the load 422 can comprise food items both liquid or solid.
• the container 430 included in the steamer 400 can be closed a cover 420. In exemplary embodiments the cover 420 can include a vent 418. The vent 418 can regulate pressure of the steam 426.
• steamer as described herein can be used as a coffee maker, a pasta maker, to heat other foods, to distill liquids such as water or the like.
• the steamer can be scaled to its application, for example, use in a household steamer, sanitizing machine, an industrial scale steamer, or the like.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a functional view of a steam floor sanitizer including a wire mesh heating element according to exemplary embodiments.
• Steamer 500 can include a housing 520, stored energy device 502, a water reservoir (not shown), a pump (not shown), and a wire mesh heating element 514.
• a sprayer 512 can direct water from the pump as a fine spray onto the wire mesh heating element 514.
• the wire mesh heating element 514 can be disposed between the prayer 512 and a thermally insulative surface 516.
• the thermally insulative surface 516 can form a spray receiving surface.
• the body 520 of the steamer 500 can include one or more handles 504 to propel the steamer 500 on wheels 506 steam generated using the wire mesh heating element 514 can exit the body 520 of the steamer 500 via one or more outlet holes 508 to produce steam 510.
• the present disclosure allows for the creation of a high power vapor generator by using a resistive wire mesh element.
• the heater element can allow for a desired wavelength output by modifying both the thickness of the mesh as well as the surface area from which heat radiates.
• the heater includes a mesh that is assembled into a liquid/water heater and having a low mass so as to allow for a very quick heat-up (on the order of less than a few seconds).
• Wire mesh heating element can include horizontal and vertical wires crisscrossing one another. The nodal intersections of the wires can form an electrical short.
• the wire mesh need not be electrically insulated.
• the wire mesh includes an electrical insulator disposed thereupon.
• the wire mesh wire can include Nichrome.
• the wire mesh may be formed by perforating a sheet with holes.
• the wire mesh can include a hydrophilic coating in order to facilitate movement of heated water away from the wire mesh.
• a mesh design for operating a quick response time vapor generator can include of a nichrome wire mesh with strand diameter of 0.3 mm, and spacing between strands of 0.3 mm, and operating voltage of 24V.
• the wire mesh can have a strand diameter of, for example, less than 1.5 mm, 1 mm, less than 0.7 mm, less than 0.5, less than 0.3 mm, less than 0.1 mm, or the like.
• the spacing between strands can have a length of, for example, less than 1.5 mm, 1 mm, less than 0.7 mm, less than 0.5, less than 0.3 mm, less than 0.1 mm, or the like.
• the wire mesh can include a wire mesh cloth that is, for example, calibrated for a fast response heating application operating.
• the wire mesh can operate at 1400 degrees K or greater.
• the wire mesh can attain a high temperature in, for example, less than 10 seconds, in less than 5 seconds, in less 2 seconds or the like.
• the DC power supply can operate at, for example, 48V or less, 24 V or less, 12 V or less, 6 V or less, or the like.
• a length L of the wire mesh can be, for example, less than 200 mm, less than 150 mm, less than 100 mm, less than 50 mm, or the like.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Resistance Heating (AREA)
• Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)
• Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
• Cookers (AREA)
• Electric Stoves And Ranges (AREA)

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Citations (12)

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• 2014
  • 2014-08-14 WO PCT/US2014/051116 patent/WO2015023874A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-08-14 CA CA2928745A patent/CA2928745C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-08-14 JP JP2016534842A patent/JP2016532848A/ja active Pending
  • 2014-08-14 CN CN201480056647.4A patent/CN105722439A/zh active Pending
  • 2014-08-14 CN CN202010679636.9A patent/CN112013370A/zh active Pending
  • 2014-08-14 EP EP14836083.7A patent/EP3043686B1/en not_active Not-in-force

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